ILA rejects local contract in Baltimore

Members of the ILA Local 333 in Baltimore have rejected a proposed local contract.
Riker McKenzie, Local 333 president, said the contract was rejected by a vote of 416-140. He added that members of the union will continue to work and while the union tries to negotiate a "fair and equitable contract."
"Great Show of Solidarity by ILA Local 333 today," wrote Dennis Daggett, president of the Atlantic Coast District of the ILA. "If we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, we will be successful in negotiating a fair contract for all."
Daggett had written a letter the longshoremen in Baltimore to "urge you strongly to reject the current offer. In this regard, if you reject this offer, I give you my pledge to come to the Port of Baltimore and involve myself personally in your negotiations until we can hopefully reach an agreement that is satisfactory to both sides. Please know that I will continue to support the officers and members of ILA Local 333 through this process."
While the ILA approved a national "master" contract last April governing containerized cargo, members of Local 333 are still negotiating local contracts covering work on breakbulk and roll-on, roll-off cargo and cruise ships. ILA members in Mobile and Charleston are also negotiating local contracts.